{Outside the Box}

I am by no means a crafty lady, but occasionally I do like to try things that stretch me outside my comfort zone.  I've really enjoyed seeing gallery wall ideas on Pinterest, and other people's blogs, as well as in homes of some friends in my neighborhood.

I have been collecting items for a while to add create my own interpretation of a gallery wall, adding a little bit of a comfortable homey feel to our NYC apartment.  It is a bit of a struggle when living in NYC to allow yourself to be settled enough in one place to actually make your space "homey."  

Over the last couple of years we've moved three times, so I've been somewhat reserved to put in the time and energy to decorate and get comfortable.  But, alas, I've begun my gallery wall which I'm happy to be sharing with you here today!

 I've literally been throwing miscellaneous items into a box since before Christmas in anticipation of getting my wall started.  I've done a couple of Michael's runs, plus had miscellaneous craft leftovers from various projects I've attempted previously.

 I took all of my "frames" which were simply shoebox lids of varying shapes and sizes and covered them with scrapbooking paper.  I tried to pick a variety of colors, designs and textures that would still correspond with each other in some way.

 Next I added photographs using double sided tape, and dressed up each frame with scrapbooking stickers, and other fun things.  

Here are a few more examples:

 For the backing I used yarn and felt squares with hot glue.  

Make sure you measure your nails or picture mounts to help determine where you should place the yarn so that the actual mounts are hidden behind the pictures.

 Once you have a good collection of different items to hang, go ahead and put them up, you can always experiment with hanging them in different places until you find something you like.

 Here is my before:

 And after:

I still plan on adding a few items to my wall later on, including a few decals, 

and possibly some painted toilet paper roll flowers.

And of course more pictures over time.

What do you think?

{ReadingList}

I've decided to make a concerted effort to get more reading time in.  

Instead of my usual technology cut-off time at 10pm, 

I'm attempting to push it back to 9pm, 

giving me a full hour of reading before I get in bed.  

(I try to be in bed by 10pm most nights…

you don't want to mess with the sleep-deprived version of me!)  

Here are the next 10 books in my reading list:

Borrowed this from a friend late last year and started it but haven't finished it.  

I loved the movie, I'm a HUGE Rachel McAdams fan.

Also started, but not finished.

This book has actually helped me in ALL of my relationships.

Not even finished and highly recommend it!

Recently bought the Kindle edition of this book.

I'm extremely nervous to delve into this one, so not sure when I'll start it.

I will be doing a few workbooks alongside it.

Jerry and I are almost finished with this.

We also have the companion workbooks.

When we don't have time to do a full "Love Talk" exercise, 

we turn to this wonderful devotional.

We are always amazed by the profound wisdom expressed in these short 2 page devotions.

We've read through the Five Love Languages for Singles & Couples.

Looking forward to reading this and starting to identify Zion's love languages.

I watched the movie Fireproof and wanted to read "The Love Dare"

but believe that I should probably read this one first.

I haven't read this yet, its sitting on my stack,

mostly because I know I'll get sucked in and have to read the entire series.

This is an amazing devotional for moms.

It is funny, light-hearted yet poignant.  

I started it, but couldn't keep my focus so it is shelved for now.

I've only had the pleasure of reading one other Beth Moore book,

however; I know this lady goes deep in her writing.

I'm really looking forward to getting into this one!

What books are you reading?

Anything you simply cannot put down!?

{Priorities}

by Kristin Smith

Finding balance in my life 

has always been a

challenge.

I'm the kind of person that takes on a lot,

even when maybe 

I shouldn't.

I know I'm not superwoman,

and 

I know how to say 

"No."

It often seems that 

just when I think I have everything

under control

something always 

tips the scale 

in the other direction.

But, the truth

lies in my 

priorities.

Often when things feel like

chaos,

I find that I've allowed my priorities to

shift out of their rightful order.

I've stopped 

keeping the first thing

first.

Lately,

it's been 

Writing, Family, then God.

And it's not working 

for me.

by Andrea Brancaccio

I know what I must do.

I've discovered the 

secret:

Time spent 

with 

God

is time

multiplied.

When my priorities are right

there is

harmony.

When there is harmony,

there is 

rest.

Is your life in balance

or are you 

struggling

amidst the chaos?

The Lord says:

"Come to me, 

all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and 

my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

by Jesse Therrien

The Loveliest May

WINNER!

Congrats to Meredith 

for winning the mark. cosmetics giveaway, 

generously offered by my Featured Lovely in May, 

Michelle from Heartfelt Balance, Handmade Life!!

Now sit back and enjoy, some of the Loveliest posts from May!

(Click a thumbnail to read a post!)

   
   

And Lastly,

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CLICK HERE to submit your ad, use code: JUNESWAP

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{Today}I Live

When I was a little girl, I was often full of anxiety due to the constant turmoil of a home plagued with alcoholism, domestic violence and neglect.  Both of my parents were extremely young, self absorbed and ill-equipped to raise the three little girls they had been entrusted to them.  One of my earliest memories in childhood marked a turning point in my life and has shaped me in ways that I could never fully describe.

Miracle by Adam Jackson

One particular evening, I was struggling with thoughts of death and the question of being alone forever after death…I remember being very afraid.  Perhaps I felt some degree of impending doom, and it followed me into my dreams that evening.  I dreamt that I was crying out in the darkness, separated from all that I knew and loved, when this giant hand reached down to me.  I knew immediately in my heart that this was God, coming to my rescue, comforting me.  I hugged the hand as tight as I could and was drawn up out of the darkness.  Then I woke up.


I was not raised in a Christian home, nor was I involved in church, or even talk of God.  From the moment I awoke, a deeply rooted faith in God had taken hold in my heart.  I believed, without a single doubt, that God was (and is) real, cares deeply for me and will not leave me alone in darkness.  I woke up with a new hope and foundation for living my life.  I have carried that faith and dream with me since that moment.

The Room by Jesse Therrien

I wish that I could say that from that defining moment life got better for me or easier, but it didn't.  Life was never promised to be easy or struggle free.  I grew up battling severe depression throughout most of my childhood, building to an inescapable climax during my teenage years.  When I was 16 years old I felt especially crippled under the weight of my emotions, and the deep wounds I'd collected as a child.  I was melancholic, sad, angry but despite my emotions I lashed out in unpredicted ways.  I strove for perfection in everything I did, and tormented myself endlessly whenever I fell short.

I reached a point of darkness where I believed it would have been better if I had never been born.  I frequently struggled with images in my mind of my life ending.  I didn't want death, I wanted release…I just wanted a mind free of pain and anguish.  One evening, while my family went about their normal activities I collected all the medicine from my mother's medicine cabinet.  Trembling, I swallowed the pills.  I wept quietly as I felt my pain washing me over like tidal waves, and mourned the life that I hoped would soon leave me.  

After swallowing the pills, I laid in my bed and prayed to God to forgive me, and I cried out for Him to save me.  As quickly as I had given my life away I wanted it back.  I begged and pleaded with Him to not take my life, but to give me a second chance.  I poured out my heart before Him and the weight of the load I was carrying was laid before His feet.  I cried until I drifted to sleep, unsure if I'd taken my last breaths.  Miraculously I awoke.  Never had I been so grateful to have air in my lungs.

Cloud Break by Cheryl Empey

I survived to make a promise to God that I would never devalue my life again.  Instead of drowning in the despair I felt, I would resolve to rise above all that I had been through.  I made a choice that I would never give up, and I would fight every obstacle that stood in my way to being wholly healed from the pain of my childhood.  I wouldn't end up another statistic of a broken home.  I would be the curse breaker and I would go on to live a "normal" existence.  Mostly, I just wanted to do more than survive.

I live today as a different person.  While I can't say that I am completely healed of the pain of my past, each day is a little bit better than the last.  Each day that God gives me the power to breath, is a day where I am actively pursuing wholeness in my life.  I have been blessed with a beautiful life.  I have a remarkable man by my side to hold me when I need to be reassured that life is indeed good, a spirited daughter to fill my heart with songs of joy and laughter and a God who, as promised, has never left me alone in my darkness.

{Overcomers}

Rowhouse 14

Dear Family

In These Shoes

Absolute Mommy

Paisley Boulevard

Anywhere Is

Imprintalish

From City Corporate to Suburb Mama

Our Reflection

The Jack Chronicles